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Sports

Wednesday October 28, 2009

Wozniacki forced to grow up quickly

DOHA: Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki has come a long way in 12 months, breaking into the world’s top 10, reaching a first Grand Slam final before seeing her sporting reputation threatened.

The 19-year-old has also slogged through a marathon agenda of 87 matches in 2009 and seen her run to the US Open final reduced to a footnote in the Kim Clijsters title-winning story.

With her first participation in the season-ending WTA Championships here marking the end of her year to remember, it’s a recent incident in the Luxembourg event that is threatening to undo all her work.

Her injury pullout when cruising to victory in the low-key indoor tournament prompted a WTA investigation after a reported surge in Internet betting on the match.

Wozniacki insists that there was nothing suspicious in the incident which came in the match against home player Anne Kremer.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I was injured. There was no chance for me to finish, so I decided to stop.

“I don’t have anything to do with betting. I’m against it,” said Wozniacki.

“I went to the hospital the next day to get a scan. The doctor told me that I had a strain.”

Wozniacki insists she has nothing to fear from the WTA investigation.

“I talked to them. There’s nothing suspicious about the match. So there is no big deal.”

Twelve months ago, Wozniacki was 12 in the world; now she is number four and widely-tipped to make a Grand Slam title breakthrough next year.

As well as her run to the US Open final, the baby of this US$4.55mil tournament, reached seven other trophy matches, winning titles in Ponte Vedra Beach, Eastbourne and New Haven.

“I’m really pleased about my season,” she said. — AFP

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